These fragranced cream lipsticks come in an array of vibrant, statement-making shades, from eye-popping pink to coral-red, orange, and even purple. These colors won't be everyone's first choice, but if you're looking for an inexpensive option for bold lip color, Color Sensational Vivids have workable options for all skin tones.

The texture is similar to the original Color Sensational Lipcolor, but the Vivids are slightly dryer and noticeably more pigmented. This lipstick wears well for 5–8 hours before a touch-up is necessary, and a strong benefit of this product is that when the creamy texture wears off the color is still present in an even stain. Although this is a cream lipstick, the dryer texture makes bleeding a non-issue, unless there are deep, defined, lines around the mouth—in which case, a lipliner is recommended.

Pros:

Available in an array of vibrant, but workable, shades for all skin tones.

Strengths: At least one excellent product (if not several) in almost every category; many excellent foundations; superior mascaras; inexpensive makeup brushes; some terrific concealers, powders, blush, and lip color options.

Weaknesses: Lips balms tend to be a letdown; a few of the Great Lash mascaras are surprisingly average compared to other Maybelline formulas.

Maybelline is one of the best-known and most recognized mass-market makeup lines in the world—it's available in 90 countries. Throughout its long history, which began in 1915 when T. L. Wilson founded the company and named it after his sister, Mabel, and Vaseline (which he combined with coal dust to concoct a mascara for her), the company has prided itself on bringing innovative products to the marketplace. L'Oreal purchased the company in early 1996, and that's when things really started coming together for the Maybelline brand.

Specializing in a large selection of lipsticks, nail polishes, and mascaras, there is a lot to love from this drugstore brand. Many of their foundations are exceptional, and their powders, several mascaras, pencils, matte-finish concealers, and Superstay Lipcolor collection impressed us by offering a high degree of quality for their inexpensive price point.

Maybelline's latest urban image is a positive step, as many of their latest launches have been innovative without resorting to "been-there, done-that" gimmicks. Smart shoppers will note the similarities of a few of Maybelline’s formulas to products from high-end brands that are also owned by parent company L’Oreal. That just goes to show conscientious shopping can really save you money—without sacrificing quality or performance.

For more information about Maybelline New York, call (800) 944-0730 or visit their interactive Web site at www.maybelline.com.

About the Experts

The new Beautypedia Team proudly and unequivocally maintains the commitment to help you find the best products possible for your skin. We do this by relentlessly pursuing and relying on published scientific research so you will have unbiased information on what works and what doesn't-and the sneaky ways you could be making your skin worse, not better!

The Beautypedia Team reviews all products using the same research, criteria, and objectivity, whether the product being reviewed is from Paula's Choice or another brand.

Got this in Vibrant Mandarin, in what seemed a sensible way to try the vivid color trend (Fuchsia Flash or Vivid Rose were my other choices but poor lighting stopped me, along with a bit of disappointment with the Color Whisper range (Revlon's ColorBurst butters are way better, imo). This one's great, though: the color is bold, but appealingly so (mine looks better on the lips - less orangey), stays on longer than most lipsticks I've tried, in a nice stain of color, no drying or caking.

Results

Value

Recommend

Reviewed by

Anna

04.02.2015

Doesn't stay on

This lipstick only stays on for 2 hours.

Results

Value

Recommend

Reviewed by

Jardane C.

10.28.2013

very nice, need more colour options

I have this in a few shades, and they are so pretty. I really like Vivid Rose. I don't like bold make up for daily wear but I blot this and top with a bit of balm to create a pretty berry coloured stain that doesn't require touch-ups for at least 6 hours or more. If/when I choose to wear it alone - it's very bold and pigmented, even more so than my MAC or YSL colours and nowhere near as greasy as the YSL. I think they are a great, inexpensive way to experiment and play around with colours.

Results

Recommend

Value

Reviewed by

Cathy

06.20.2013

not satisfied

I prefer my lipsticks on the moisturizing side.
I was quite excited when they first came out so I got two different shades.
They are dry and flaky so I am not repurchasing any.
The color is not that vivid. It has actually kinda satin finish that would be great if I could say it goes smooth and even on the lips. I did not have that feeling on mine at all.
For me it was a disappointment.

AUSTRALIA

EUROPE

NORTH AMERICA

Paula’s Choice Auto Delivery is a quick and convenient way to make sure you never run out of your favorite products again. Just select the products you can’t live without, choose how often you’d like them delivered and we’ll take care of the rest.